better times // draco malfoy

FIVE.

( extracurriculars ! )

MALFOY

Draco could not stop thinking about the other night. He had missed Halia so much that he couldn't stop reminiscing over the embrace that they shared. He woke up earlier than everyone in the dormitory.

The guilt had finally rushed in him when he remembered how upset Halia was when he didn't reply to any of her letters. Funny how he told himself that he wasn't interested to be connected with her anymore, but brought all of her letters back with him. He kept them in a deep, emerald green giftbox. Draco looked around, to check if anyone was awake. Then, he took the giftbox underneath his nightstand, and took out the first letter Halia wrote him. It read;

Dear Draco,

This happened so quick, so please
forgive me for not being able to
bid you a proper goodbye.

First, I want to be honest with what
happened. My parents had lied to yours,
and now they have decided that they no
longer needed their only child.
I've been officially disowned today.

I'm currently staying at Leaky Cauldron. I'm planning to work here for the time-being, since I have no nickle to my name.

Please write back to me, I would
appreciate to hear your piece of mind.

Halia Hargreeves

Seeing her magnificient, cursive handwriting after awhile had made his guilt even worse. Draco was too busy minding his own feelings at the time, that he didn't realize that his close friend since first year had been struggling. He wondered if she still struggled up until this day, and how her struggle was not visible to the naked eye. When he last saw her, she chose to smile at him, and comfort him despite the fact that he had hurt her.

He folded the first letter, and took another from the box. It read;

Dear Draco,

How've you been? Has your life become
quieter without my presence? Are you
eating and sleeping well? I hope so.

I understand that you must be
upset with me, which is why you
haven't been writing back.

I'm sorry, Draco. I really am.

For a moment, I just thought my
parents were starting to see their old-fashioned ways, but I was foolish enough to believe that they are capable of change. In the end, they remain to
be as prejudiced and as cruel.

Please write back to me. I miss you,
and I don't know what else to do.
My life has become harder alone.
I've never felt so lonesome until now.

And I keep wondering every now
and then, is this how you felt? Have I brought this exact feeling to you
when I left?

If I did, please forgive me.
I never wanted any of this.

Halia

Draco noticed that this was the last letter Halia sent him before they were off to Hogwarts. He went through the letters once more, noticing how much Halia had apologized to him. He had only read each letter once or thrice, and it had brought him too much pain, which was why he never bothered to write her a reply.